Comparison of Indirect Calorimetry and Predictive Equations for Determination of Basal Metabolic Rate of Patients with Endocrine Disorders

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to specify the equations yielding the most accurate result for the determination of basal metabolic rate of outpatients with endocrine disorders by comparing the indirect calorimetry results with predictive equations.
Subjects and Method: This study was conducted on 150 voluntary patients (female 74%, male 26%) aged between 18 to 86 years, who admitted to Başkent University Ankara Hospital Endocrinology Department between December 2016 and February 2017. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry (IC) (COSMED, Fitmate GS). Demographics and information related to individual lifestyles were obtained by a questionnaire. Anthropometric and body composition analysis were measured and recorded. Furthermore, BMR was calculated with 42 different predictive equations by using the anthropometric and body composition measurements.
Results: Harris-Benedict (HB) 1984 equation was found to be the most accurate equation for determination of BMR in endocrine patients when the use of indirect calorimetry is not possible. In addition, (1) Lazzer (BC), (2) Nelson (BC), (3) HB 1984, HB 1919, De Lorenzo, (4) Henry, and (5) Huang-Japanese (simplified) gave the most accurate estimations for males, adults, elderly, overweight, and obese or morbid obese subjects, respectively. None of the BMR equations showed similar results with IC in females, and in underweight or normal weight subjects.
Conclusion: In cases where indirect calorimetry is not available, the HB 1984 equation can be used to estimate basal metabolic rates of endocrine patients.